I Just Got Hired as a Teacher—Now What? (New Teacher Advice You Can Actually Use)
First of all—congratulations! If you’re reading this post, there’s a good chance you’ve just been offered your first teaching job. Whether you’re fresh out of college or making a career shift into education, this is a moment worth celebrating. You’ve worked hard to get here, and now you officially have a classroom to call your own. Now, let’s get to the new teacher advice you are here for.
But after the excitement wears off, many new teachers have the same thought:
“I just got hired—now what?”
If that’s where you are right now, you’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. In this post, I’m going to walk you through exactly what to do in these first few weeks after getting hired. You don’t need to rush out and buy everything in the teacher aisle at Target (yet!). You just need a clear next step—and I’ve got you.
This is new teacher advice you can actually use—simple, strategic, and stress-free.
Want your first day laid out for you? Check out my First Week of School Cheatsheet! Drop your name and email below, and I’ll send it straight to your inbox!
Step 1: Take a Moment to Celebrate
Let’s start here: you did it. Getting hired is no small thing. Applications, interviews, demo lessons—you made it through all of it. So take a breath, soak in this moment, and be proud of yourself.
Whether you’ve always dreamed of having your own classroom or teaching is a brand-new path for you, this is a milestone worth acknowledging. Tell your people. Treat yourself to something small. Write about how you feel so you can look back later.
Then, when you’re ready, it’s time to take some simple but important steps to lay the groundwork for your best year yet.
Step 2: Connect with Your School
One of the first things you’ll want to do after getting hired is to send a quick email to your principal or hiring contact. Keep it short, warm, and professional.
Here’s what to include:
- A thank-you for the opportunity
- A short note of excitement
- A question about next steps (like orientation, classroom access, etc.)
Sample Email:
Hi [Principal’s Name],
I just wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to join your team at [School Name]. I’m so excited to get started and begin preparing for the upcoming school year. When you have a moment, I’d love to know what next steps to expect, such as summer orientation dates or when I might be able to see my classroom. Looking forward to connecting more soon!
Best, [Your Name]
This small gesture shows initiative, sets a positive tone, and helps you get key information without overwhelm. (And if you’re looking for new teacher advice that actually makes a difference, this is a powerful place to begin.)
Step 3: Confirm Your Grade Level and Team
If you haven’t already been told your exact grade level, now’s the time to ask. You’ll also want to find out:
- Who else is on your grade-level team
- If you’ll be paired with a mentor
- Whether your school uses a shared curriculum or common systems
This will help you know what to focus on in the coming weeks. For example, teaching 1st grade looks very different than 5th grade when it comes to routines, independence, and classroom systems. The sooner you get clarity here, the better.
If you’re still waiting to find out your grade level, don’t worry—I’ll be sharing new teacher advice in upcoming posts and podcast episodes about how to prep even when you don’t know all the details yet.
Step 4: Gather Ideas—Not Materials (More New Teacher Advice You’ll Thank Yourself For)
This is where I want you to hear me loud and clear:
You don’t need to buy everything right now.
It’s tempting to head straight to Amazon or Target and start stocking up on decor, flexible seating, and classroom supplies. But trust me—wait.
Here’s what to do instead:
- Start a digital notebook (Google Docs, Notes app, or a physical notebook) with ideas for classroom management, routines, and systems.
- Create a “teacher inspiration” Pinterest board or save ideas on Instagram.
- Write down specific questions you want to ask your team or mentor.
You’ll get a much clearer picture of what you actually need once you:
- See your classroom space
- Understand your students’ needs
- Learn about your school’s procedures and expectations
So hold off on buying all the things and give yourself space to dream, reflect, and plan wisely.
If you take nothing else from this post, let it be this bit of new teacher advice: spend time learning before you spend money buying.
Step 5: Reflect on the Kind of Teacher You Want to Be
Before you dive into lesson planning or classroom setup, take a few minutes to reflect on your vision for your classroom.
Ask yourself:
- What kind of environment do I want to create?
- How do I want my students to feel in my room?
- What are my non-negotiables when it comes to routines, noise levels, or student responsibilities?
- How do I want to handle behavior challenges?
You don’t need to have it all figured out, but knowing your values and classroom goals will help guide every decision you make over the summer, from choosing procedures to designing your space.
This is a powerful piece of new teacher advice that helps you build your classroom intentionally, not reactively.
Step 6: Plug Into Support and Community
You are not in this alone, and you don’t have to figure everything out from scratch.
Here are some easy ways to get support as a new teacher:
- Follow this blog and podcast (Hey New Teachers!)—I’ve got tons of content designed specifically for new elementary teachers.
- Mark your calendar for July, because I’m hosting something that will set you up for success! You’ll get step-by-step support so you can walk into your classroom in August feeling prepared and confident.
- Reach out to other teachers—either in your building or online. Find a community where you can ask questions, share ideas, and be encouraged.
Getting support is one of the most underrated pieces of new teacher advice—but it can change everything.
Final New Teacher Advice: You’re Doing Great
Let me remind you of something that I wish someone had told me my first summer as a new teacher:
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present and willing to grow.
You don’t need to have every lesson planned by August. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on classroom decor. What you do need is a clear plan, a manageable timeline, and someone to walk with you through the process.
That’s what this blog and podcast are here for.
So take a breath. You’re on your way—and I’ll be right here cheering you on the whole time.
Ready for More new teacher advice?
🎧 Be sure to check out the full podcast episode here for even more new teacher advice and insight into what to do after getting hired.
📅 Coming in July: There’s something BIG coming this July: think classroom management, expectations, and systems. 🎯 I’ll be sharing more about that very soon, so stay tuned!
If you’re ready to go from overwhelmed to organized, make sure you’re following along. It’s going to be a game-changer.
You’ve got this.
Welcome to the classroom—you’re going to do amazing things.
Before you go, make sure to download my FREE First Week of School Cheatsheet below!
